The next morning.
Ian Song stepped out of his tent just as Liam Liang hurried over. "Captain, are we training again today?"
No, we're heading back to the city!
With Commander Brock dead, the Strongarm Bull Devils should be in chaos for a while. For the next ten days or so, it's unlikely any Devils will cross the river, so there's no need for us to stay on the battlefield.
When Liam Liang announced Ian Song's order to return to the city, everyone was thrilled.
This time, they'd made a small fortune.
There's nowhere to spend money on the battlefield; only in the city can they put their silver to use.
Ten li away from Ian Song, there was another camp.
When Lance Xuanyuan heard that Ian Song was returning to the city, he couldn't help but feel delighted—now, that kid's merit points had surpassed his.
So, without even resting, he led his troops to the battlefield.
But for the past few days, the Devils hadn't crossed the river at all, leaving him frustrated.
Now that Leon Huang was back in the city, it gave him a chance to catch up.
What he didn't know was that last night, Ian Song had infiltrated the Strongarm Bull Devil camp and assassinated Commander Brock. For the foreseeable future, the Bull Devils would stay quiet; if Lance wanted to catch up to Ian, he'd have to attack the Devil bank himself.
But is that even possible?
An hour later, Ian Song led his men to the gates of Blood River City.
To his surprise, Deputy Commander Fiona Li was waiting there with several guards.
Ian Song didn't dare be arrogant and quickly dismounted to salute. "Greetings, Deputy Li."
No need for formalities, Captain Huang. This time you really pulled off something big—it's been years since anyone wiped out an entire thousand-man Devil camp!" Fiona Li said with a friendly smile.
I wouldn't dare. It was just luck!" Ian Song replied modestly.
Luck is part of strength too. All right, the commander wants to see you—come with me!
Ian Song nodded.
The main office doors were open, and Ian could see a middle-aged man seated at a desk in the center of the room.
He had a strong, square face and wore a loose black robe. Even sitting down, his tall frame was obvious.
You're here!
Raymond Lei set aside his paperwork and greeted them with a smile.
Greetings, Commander!
Honored to meet you, Commander!
Ian Song and Fiona Li saluted in turn.
No need for formalities—please, sit! Raymond Lei gestured, then looked Ian Song over with curiosity.
Raymond Lei’s gaze was gentle, not at all what Ian Song expected from a commander of a million troops.
Leon, have you ever thought about staying in the army?
Raymond Lei asked warmly.
Fiona Li felt a surge of envy—this was the first time the commander had ever tried to recruit a Grandmaster.
Thank you, Commander, but I don’t plan to stay in the army for now," Ian Song replied, shaking his head. He still had the task of becoming the Pristine Way Sect’s leader—if he stayed in the army, how could he accomplish that?
He actually turned it down!
Fiona Li was shocked, but then realized that with his talent, Ian Song would succeed anywhere—why stay in the dangerous army?
Raymond Lei didn’t mind Ian Song’s refusal; he just smiled. "Alright, but if you ever want to join the army, come to me first!"
Definitely!
Ian Song nodded.
Leon, what do you think of the Strongarm Bull Devils’ recent movements?" Raymond Lei suddenly asked, as if testing him.
I think the Strongarm Bull Devils won’t make any moves for at least the next ten days!" Ian Song said confidently.
Why?" Raymond Lei raised an eyebrow. Ever since Ian Song’s patrol wiped out a thousand-man camp, he’d kept a close eye on the situation. By his reckoning, the Strongarm Bull Devils would launch a major attack within three days.
But Ian Song said there’d be no trouble for ten days or more. Raymond Lei felt a bit disappointed, wondering if Ian’s victory was just dumb luck.
Because...!
Ian Song waved his hand, and five corpses thudded to the ground.
Raymond Lei and Fiona Li quickly scanned the bodies. They instantly recognized one as Warlord Brock, the Strongarm Bull Devils’ ten-thousand-man commander stationed across the Blood River.
Thanks to the Blood River’s barrier, the Strongarm Bull Devils never worry about a major human attack.
So, they only keep one ten-thousand-man camp on the far bank, rotating every three months.
Besides Brock, the other four corpses were his Thousand-Man Commanders.
With their ten-thousand-man commander and four Thousand-Man Commanders dead, there’s no way the Strongarm Bull Devils will attack soon. No wonder Ian Song was so confident.
You killed them all?
Raymond Lei asked.
Ian Song nodded. "I killed them myself."
Do you have a flying spirit beast?" Raymond Lei was surprised. "Even if you did, approaching the enemy camp would get you spotted. Besides, Brock’s tent is in the center of the camp. Killing him and escaping unharmed—most Martial Saints couldn’t do that! You’ve really impressed me. Are you sure you won’t reconsider? If you stay, I’ll give you command of fifty thousand troops!"
Raymond Lei managed to stay calm, but Fiona Li was anything but—this was beyond extraordinary. Killing Brock in the midst of thousands and escaping safely? Even she couldn’t have done that.
Fiona Li was shocked, but then realized that with his talent, Ian Song would succeed anywhere—why stay in the dangerous army?
Raymond Lei didn’t mind Ian Song’s refusal; he just smiled. "Alright, but if you ever want to join the army, come to me first!"
Definitely!
Ian Song nodded.
Leon, what do you think of the Strongarm Bull Devils’ recent movements?" Raymond Lei suddenly asked, as if testing him.
I think the Strongarm Bull Devils won’t make any moves for at least the next ten days!" Ian Song said confidently.
Why?" Raymond Lei raised an eyebrow. Ever since Ian Song’s patrol wiped out a thousand-man camp, he’d kept a close eye on the situation. By his reckoning, the Strongarm Bull Devils would launch a major attack within three days.
But Ian Song said there’d be no trouble for ten days or more. Raymond Lei felt a bit disappointed, wondering if Ian’s victory was just dumb luck.
Because...!
Ian Song waved his hand, and five corpses thudded to the ground.
Raymond Lei and Fiona Li quickly scanned the bodies. They instantly recognized one as Warlord Brock, the Strongarm Bull Devils’ ten-thousand-man commander stationed across the Blood River.
Thanks to the Blood River’s barrier, the Strongarm Bull Devils never worry about a major human attack.
So, they only keep one ten-thousand-man camp on the far bank, rotating every three months.
Besides Brock, the other four corpses were his Thousand-Man Commanders.
With their ten-thousand-man commander and four Thousand-Man Commanders dead, there’s no way the Strongarm Bull Devils will attack soon. No wonder Ian Song was so confident.
You killed them all?
Raymond Lei asked.
Ian Song nodded. "I killed them myself."
Do you have a flying spirit beast?" Raymond Lei was surprised. "Even if you did, approaching the enemy camp would get you spotted. Besides, Brock’s tent is in the center of the camp. Killing him and escaping unharmed—most Martial Saints couldn’t do that! You’ve really impressed me. Are you sure you won’t reconsider? If you stay, I’ll give you command of fifty thousand troops!"
Raymond Lei managed to stay calm, but Fiona Li was anything but—this was beyond extraordinary. Killing Brock in the midst of thousands and escaping safely? Even she couldn’t have done that.